The Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) RiVeR Project (Responding to the Impacts of domestic, sexual and gender-based Violence: Multi-agency Education, Research and training initiatives) is a three-year initiative funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Through the project, DkIT is leading the provision of multi-agency education, training, and research regarding domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in Ireland.
In September 2022, DkIT was awarded performance funding valued at €833,333 from the HEA in recognition of its impact case study submission, entitled The changing landscape of domestic abuse – the impact of a multi-agency educational initiative. Details of the impact case study are on the HEA website and can be accessed at: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/managing-performance/institutional-stories-of-impact/dundalk-insitutue-of-technology-2022/.


DkIT received the funding for the RiVeR Project based on its co-creation and delivery of Ireland’s first accredited programme for frontline staff on how to recognise and respond to domestic abuse. The course has been delivered in the School of Health and Science since 2016. The RiVeR Project commenced in March, 2023, with the appointment of Dr Kathleen Nallen as Project Lead.
Partnerships and collaborations
The RiVeR Project began with the establishment of governance structures and the development of a project implementation plan. A steering committee, consisting of 13 external members from a range of key stakeholder organisations, was formed and terms of reference were agreed. Three project working groups (for communication, research, and education and training) were established to focus on providing input to specific project objectives. The groups consisted of both DkIT project management team/RiVeR Project team members, and representatives from the project steering committee.
Strategic objectives and performance to date
Objective 1: An evaluation of the existing domestic abuse programme will be carried out. Based on the findings, a modified, accredited, multi-agency, DSGBV educational programme(s) will be delivered.
A mixed method evaluation was undertaken in early 2024 involving programme students, graduates, and the 15 facilitators who teach on it. Evaluation of education/training needs in relation to DSGBV took place during a stakeholder workshop in January 2024.
A new 20 credit programme was then developed and validated in May 2024 – a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 8 Certificate Special Purpose Award. It is a 13-week blended learning programme, which typically has a student profile that includes nurses, midwives, members of An Garda Síochána, social workers, psychotherapists, and frontline workers in domestic violence specialist services for both men and women. This multi-agency student cohort ensures rich peer learning. RiVeR Project scholarships are awarded to five students in each cohort and cover full fees. It is also proposed to develop a Masters in this area in 2025/26.
Further details can be accessed at: https://tinyurl.com/2jrjp7bj.
Objective 2: All-island communities of practice will be created. Sharing of information will take place through a national annual event (stakeholder workshops/conference). A project website will be developed.
An all-island community of practice continues to be developed and expanded. The RiVeR Project has hosted two national conferences; the most recent in January 2025, which carried the theme of Keeping the spotlight on coercive control: A multi-agency approach. This event included presentations by four high profile keynote speakers and was attended by almost 200 delegates. The afternoon provided an opportunity for four parallel sessions with a range of oral presentations relating to education, training, and research in the area of DSGBV.
- Video recordings from the conference are available on the project website (under the education and training/training materials tab) at www.riverproject.ie. Other achievements to date include:
- ‘Seeking safety Ireland’ lunchtime event, held in March, 2024;
- ‘In her shoes’ workshop, held in June 2024;
- ‘Lunch and learn’ session for DkIT students during international 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in November 2024;
- Website developed – and revamped in February 2025;
- Social media presence maintained;
- Bimonthly RiVeR Project Community of Practice newsletter.
Objective 3: Strategic research priorities in the field shall be identified through consultation with stakeholders. Two MSc research students shall be recruited to undertake research projects.
Strategic research priorities were identified through consultation with stakeholders. Two MSc students commenced in September, 2024.
Objective 4: Focused, accessible, sustainable, and re-useable learning resources (RLOs) and stackable micro-credentials for frontline professionals and support staff developed and made available.
The available education and training resources nationally were collated. Scripts have also been developed by steering committee members and collaborators for a number of short video clips that will be used for DSGBV education and training. The adaptation of the ‘In her shoes’ interactive exercise toolkit to ‘In their shoes’ is in progress, and the two-weekly RiVeR Project podcast series Insights into Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence was launched in May, 2025. The podcast series brings together academic, legal, frontline, and lived-experience perspectives to examine how DSGBV is understood, addressed, and challenged in contemporary Ireland, and is available on the following links:
- RiVeR Project Website: www.riverproject.ie/education-training/podcast-series/;
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EqTztEInrINHoAMJ2KNVV?si=272ba1938b08460f&nd=1&dlsi=6cab35227b364988;
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/@DundalkIT/podcasts.
One of the MSc students is currently developing additional RLOs for frontline DSGBV services, and the development of micro-credentials in the area of DSGBV has commenced. One micro-credential will focus on ‘Coercive Control’ and the other on ‘Children and Adolescents in the context of Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence’.
Objective 5: Focused DSGBV educational resources for the higher education sector; developed, delivered, and evaluated for all students and staff within the 17 publicly funded higher education institutes.
The HSE National Social Inclusion Office have developed four online DSGBV modules for HSELanD:
Module 1 – Awareness; Module 2 – Recognise; Module 3 – Respond; and Module 4 – Refer. Collaboration is ongoing between DkIT and the HSE to allow for promotion of these in the higher education sector, with adaptation if required, as well as evaluation.
Uniqueness
The DkIT RiVeR Project stands out as the only educational institution in Ireland providing opportunities for education, training, and research in the area of DSGBV. The significant impact of the RiVeR Project on those working in frontline DSGBV services, and the success of the community of practice which has been established, indicates a clear need for such an initiative in this sector.
Stakeholders value the opportunity to network and interact with colleagues in the field. Evidence of this impact includes attendance at RiVeR Project events, post event surveys, interest in undertaking the DSGBV programme, and endorsements via email and in-person. The community of practice continually highlight that the RiVeR project is servicing a need in relation to DSGBV education, training, and research not previously met. The DkIT RiVeR Project was shortlisted for a prestigious National Education Award 2025 in the ‘Best Collaboration Project’ category.
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